Modular, bypass track and carriage system for overhead- mounted lights and other devices

ABSTRACT

A track and carriage system including a mounting plate, a first track removably secured to the mounting plate and receiving a first carriage movable therein, a second track removably secured to the mounting plate and receiving a second carriage movable therein. The first and second tracks are positioned adjacent and substantially parallel to one another such that the carriage of the first track moves independently of and in parallel with the carriage of the second track.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to mounting systems for overhead lightsand devices. More specifically, the invention relates to a modular trackand carriage system that has multiple tracks secured adjacent to oneanother on a mounting plate. The system is capable of suspending,powering, and connecting multiple devices, one each for translationalong its respective track.

SUMMARY

Track lighting and other ceiling-mounted lighting systems are, ingeneral, known. However, most ceiling-mounted lighting and tool systems,particularly systems used in dental examination and operating rooms,have a number of deficiencies. One deficiency of many current systems isthat it is difficult and sometimes impossible to mount more than asingle track on the ceiling in the space that is available. In manycases, the number of devices that may be mounted on a ceiling isrestricted on a one-to-one basis to the number of tracks, particularlyif it is important that the devices not interfere with each other whenbeing moved across the ceiling. So, if only a single track can bemounted on the ceiling, only one light or other device can be mounted ata time if unobstructed movement is desired.

Certain embodiments of the system provide a modular system in whichmultiple tracks can be mounted adjacent one another in a relativelysmall footprint so as to permit the multiple devices on the ceiling tomove in a manner so that the devices bypass each other when they aremoved across the ceiling. In one embodiment, the invention provides atrack and carriage system including a mounting plate. The mounting plateis configured to be fixed or otherwise secured to a ceiling. Themounting plate is also configured to removably position a first trackadjacent to and substantially parallel to a second track. A firstcarriage is received within and movable along the first track and asecond carriage is received within and movable along the second track.The first and second carriages move independently of and in parallel toone another.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a track and carriagesystem for securing a plurality of translatable devices. The systemincludes a mounting plate. The system also includes a first track havingan elongate, bearing wall, a first side wall having a length, and asecond side wall having a length. The first and second side walls areoriented generally parallel to each other and define a spacetherebetween. A carriage having a body, which includes a top surface anda bottom surface, is configured to fit within and is slidable along thelengths of the first and second side walls. The system further includesa second track having an elongate, bearing wall, a first side wallhaving a length, and a second side wall having a length. The first andsecond side walls are oriented generally parallel to each other anddefine a space therebetween. A carriage having a body, which includes atop surface and a bottom surface, is configured to fit within and isslidable along the lengths of the first and second side walls. Thecarriage of the first track is configured to slide independently of andin parallel with the carriage of the second track. The first track andthe second track are removably and independently secured to the mountingplate.

In another embodiment, the invention provides a track and carriagesystem that includes a track having an elongate, bearing wall, a firstside wall having a length, and a second side wall having a length suchthat the first and second side walls are oriented generally parallel toeach other and define a space therebetween. The system further includesa carriage having a body. The body has a top surface and a bottomsurface. The body is also configured to fit within and is slidable alongthe lengths of the first and second side walls. The system also includesan umbilical holder disposed between the top surface of the carriage andthe bearing wall and is configured to fit within the first and secondside walls. The umbilical holder is configured to guide a cable.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration ofthe detailed description and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a prior-art track and carriage system foroverhead-mounted devices.

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective, partially exploded view of a track andcarriage system including multiple independent tracks secured to amounting plate according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exploded view of one of the tracks of FIG. 2including the carriage, umbilical holder, and mounting post.

FIG. 4 illustrates a close-up, perspective view of the tracks of FIG. 3including the carriage, umbilical holder, and mounting post.

FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the track, carriage, umbilicalholder, and mounting post of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the carriage of FIG. 3 relativeto the umbilical holder, which are secured by the track (not shown).

FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate perspective views of the carriage of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it isto be understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and the arrangement of components set forthin the following description or illustrated in the following drawings.The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced orof being carried out in various ways.

FIG. 1 illustrates a conventional track and carriage system 10 includingfirst and second carriages 12, 13. The carriages 12, 13 are movablealong a single track 14. The first and second carriages 12, 13 supportmounting posts 18, 19. Each mounting post 18, 19 receives and supports adevice 22 a, 22 b (i.e., a light, a monitor, an x-ray machine, or thelike) for evaluating and treating patients in a dental treatment,operating room, or similar room. Since each carriage 12, 13 ispositioned in the single track 14, it is impossible for the carriages12, 13 to pass each other. In other words, the carriages 12, 13 arecollinear with respect to one another. The posts 18, 19, which may beconnected to one or more support arms 26, 27, allow the devices torotate 360° about the posts such that they may each be manipulated intoa variety of positions.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the track 14 has a width w and a height h. Theconventional track and carriage system 10 has several disadvantages.First, the movement of the devices 22 a, 22 b is limited because thecollinear carriages are not able to pass one another along the track 14.Second, the track and carriage system 10 manages the electricalcomponents (i.e., electrical cable, etc.) for both devices 22 a, 22 b.This shared management of electrical components makes installation,removable, and maintenance of devices 22 a, 22 b difficult. Further, thetrack 14 is only capable of supporting a limited number of deviceswithout severely limiting translation of the devices along the track 14.Most often, in order to add additional devices to the system 10, one ofthe existing devices must be removed and then replaced with a desireddevice. Additionally, the track 14 is relatively wide. As a consequence,the track consumes a relatively large amount of available ceiling space.This makes adding other tracks difficult as there may not be additionalspace. Even if space is available, the addition of other tracks mayrequire reconfiguration of the examination room.

FIG. 2 illustrates a modular track and carriage system 100 includingmultiple independent tracks 114 a-114 c secured to a mounting plate orplatform 116 according to one embodiment of the invention. The system100 may include multiple tracks 114 a-114 c, which are described ingreater detail below. Each of the tracks 114 a-114 c is independentlyand removably installed by securing (e.g., by fasteners 115) the tracks114 a-114 c to the mounting plate 116. The plate 116 is secured to theceiling of an examination space or room. The tracks 114 a-114 c may bepositioned adjacent and substantially parallel to one another on themounting plate 116 to suspend, power, and manipulate multiple devices.

With further reference to FIG. 2, the track and carriage system 100includes a first track 114 a removably and independently secured to themounting plate 116. A first carriage 118 a is movable along the firsttrack 114 a. A first umbilical holder 122 a is disposed on a top surfaceof the first carriage 118 a and is movable within the first track 114 ato guide a first cable (not shown).

The system 100 further includes a second track 114 b removably andindependently secured to the mounting plate 116 and a second carriage118 b movable along the second track 114 b. A second umbilical holder122 b is disposed on a top surface of the second carriage 118 b and ismovable within the second track 114 b to guide a second cable (notshown).

The system 100 may also include a third track 114 c removably andindependently secured to the mounting plate 116 and a third carriage 118c movable along the third track 114 c. A third umbilical holder 122 c isdisposed on a top surface of the third carriage 118 c and is movablewithin the third track 114 c to guide a third cable (not shown).

A mounting post 126 a, 126 b, 126 c is received and secured within anaperture 194 (FIGS. 7 and 8) in each of the carriages 118 a, 118 b, 118c. Each of the mounting posts 126 a, 126 b, 126 c is configured tosecure a device (not shown). Also, each of the first, second, and thirdtracks 114 a-114 c supports an independent power supply connection,network connection, or combined connection 156 (FIG. 3). The connectionmay include, for example, power outlets, network ports, and the like tosupply power and communications to devices secured to the mountingposts.

The first, second, and third tracks 114 a-114 c are removably andindependently secured to the mounting plate 116. The first and secondtracks 114 a, 114 b are positioned adjacent and substantially parallelto one another such that the carriage 118 a and, therefore, theumbilical holder 122 a and device, of the first track 114 a moveindependently of and in parallel with the carriage 118 b and, therefore,the umbilical holder 122 b and device of the second track 114 b. Thethird track 114 c is positioned adjacent and substantially parallel tothe first and second tracks 114 a, 114 b. The carriage 118 c and,therefore, the umbilical holder 122 c and device of the third track 114c move independently of and in parallel with the carriage 118 a, 118 band, therefore, the umbilical holders 112 a, 122 b and devices, of thefirst and second tracks 114 a, 114 b.

The system 100 is designed to reduce the disadvantages of conventionaltrack and carriage systems discussed above with respect to FIG. 1. Inthe embodiment shown, the tracks are identical to each other, thecarriages are identical to each other, and the umbilical holders areidentical to each other. Thus, a combination of a track, a carriage, andan umbilical holder forms a standardized unit and provides formodularity of the system 100. However, it is not essential for eachmodule to be exactly identical to the others. For example, somevariation in the tracks, carriages, umbilical holders, and othercomponents is within the scope of the invention. In the embodimentillustrated, the tracks 114 a-114 c are positioned in a side-by-sideconfiguration, adjacent and substantially parallel to one another on themounting plate 116. Each device is slidable, by way of one of thecarriages 118 a-118 c, along the length of the corresponding track 114a-114 c. In this embodiment, tracks 114 a-114 c each have a narrowerwidth w′ and a greater height h′ than that of conventional track andcarriage systems, such as the one illustrated in FIG. 1. The carriages118 a-118 c and the umbilical holders 122 a-122 c are orientedvertically relative to one another in order to be self-contained withineach respective track 114 a-114 c. This configuration maintains thecables and other components that enable functionality and translation ofthe devices within the confines of the track 114. Therefore, themultiple devices are afforded a wider range of positions for each devicebecause they may bypass one another as they slide along the lengths oftracks 114 a-114 c. The narrow width w′ of each track 114 a-114 c allowsmultiple devices to be suspended from a space that is generally lessthan the space required by a conventional system. Additionally, thedevice supported by each system track 114 a-114 c is physically andelectrically independent of the devices supported by adjacent tracks.Therefore, each track 114 a-114 c, and the components contained therein,may be installed, removed, and maintained independently. For example, inthe illustrated embodiment, there are three independent tracks capableof supporting and translating three independent devices. Furtherembodiments may include more or fewer tracks and devices. As aconsequence, as a practice grows or technological needs or preferenceschange, device management is easily facilitated because each device issuspended and connected independently.

FIGS. 2-5 illustrate the construction of the tracks 114 a-114 caccording to one embodiment of the invention in greater detail. Thetracks 114 a-114 c define parallel longitudinal axes A, A′, A″ (FIG. 2);the axes A, A′, A″ are parallel to one another when the tracks aresecured to the mounting plate 116. The tracks 114 a-114 c each includean elongate, bearing wall 130, a first side wall 134, and a second sidewall 138. The first side wall 134 has a length L and the second sidewall 138 has a length L′ (FIG. 2). The first and second side walls 134,138 are oriented generally parallel to each other and define a space 142therebetween. Each of the first and second side walls 134, 138 includesa first rib 146 and a second rib 150 that extend substantially theentire lengths L, L′ of the first and second walls 134, 138. Each of thecarriages 118 a-118 c, which are coupled to respective umbilical holders122 a-122 c, is disposed between the first and second ribs 146, 150 andis configured to fit within and is slidable relative to the first andsecond side walls 134, 138. The umbilical holders 122 a-122 c areconfigured to fit within the first and second side walls 134, 138 andare disposed between the carriages 118 a-118 c and the bearing wall 130of the respective track 114 a-114 c.

With reference to FIGS. 2-6, the umbilical holders 122 a-122 c guideelectrical and network cabling (i.e., electrical cords and networkcables, etc.) for powering and connecting the device. The umbilicalholders 122 a-122 c each include a plurality of pivotally connectedlinkages 153. The linkages 153 define a cavity for receiving and guidingthe cabling (represented by cord 154) as the carriage 118 a-118 c ismoved along the length of the track 114 a-114 c. While the drawingsillustrate the umbilical holder 122 a-122 c including pivotallyconnected linkages, it is contemplated that other constructions ofumbilical holders are possible (i.e., umbilical holders having anintegral construction). Some embodiments of the tracks 114 a-114 c mayinclude end caps or covers 155 (FIG. 2) fixed to opposite ends of thetracks 114 a-114 c. The end caps enclose the carriages 118 a-118 c,umbilical holders 122 a-122 c, and electrical and network componentswithin the tracks 114 a-114 c and may include the connection 156.

With reference to FIGS. 4-8, the carriages 118 a-118 c are configured tofit within and slide along the lengths L, L′ of the first and secondside walls 134, 138. Each carriage 118 a-118 c includes a body 157having a top surface 158, a bottom surface 162, and first and secondside surfaces 166. The carriages 118 a-118 c further include a pluralityof horizontal wheels 170-173 and a plurality of vertical wheels 174-179.

The plurality of horizontal wheels 170-173 are located within recesses180-183 in the top surface 158. The horizontal wheels 170-173 arerotatable about vertical axes B, C, D, and E, respectively. The axes B-Eare parallel to one another and are perpendicular to the longitudinalaxis of the track 114 a-114 c. The horizontal wheels 170-173 areconfigured to extend beyond side surfaces 166 of the carriage 118 a-118c. The horizontal wheels 170, 172 can (for example, when subjected to aload) maintain contact with an inner surface 182 of the first side wall134, while the horizontal wheels 171, 173 similarly can maintain contactwith an inner surface 184 of the second side wall 138 of the track 114a-114 c.

The plurality of vertical wheels 174-179 are configured in pairs andlocated within recesses 186-191 in side surfaces 166. The verticalwheels 174, 175 are rotatable about horizontal axis F. The verticalwheels 176, 177 are rotatable about horizontal axis G, and the verticalwheels 178, 179 are rotatable about the horizontal axis H. The axes F,G, and H are parallel to one another and perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis of the track 114 a-114 c. The vertical wheels 174,175, 178, 179 are configured to extend beyond the bottom surface 162 inorder to maintain contact with the first ribs 146, while the verticalwheels 176, 177 are configured to extend beyond the top surface 158 inorder to maintain contact with the second ribs 150. In the illustratedembodiment, the pairs of vertical wheels are staggered relative to oneanother such that at least one vertical wheel extends beyond the topsurface 158 and at least one vertical wheel extends beyond the bottomsurface 162 on each side of the carriage 118 a-118 c. Further,embodiments may include horizontal and vertical wheels having differentorientations relative to each other and to the carriage 118 a-118 c. Thehorizontal and vertical wheels enable the carriage 118 a-118 c, andtherefore the umbilical holder 122 a-122 c, to slide or translate alongthe length of the track 114 a-114 c. The carriage 118 a-118 c includesthe aperture 194 that receives and secures the mounting post 126 a-126 ctherein for mounting a device (not shown).

Thus, the invention provides, among other things, a modular track andcarriage system. The track and carriage system is capable ofindependently suspending, powering, and connecting a device fortranslation along a length of the track. The invention also provides theability to install, remove, and maintain a plurality of tracks securedadjacent to and in parallel to one another. Each track and carriagesupports a single device such that each device is powered andmanipulated independently of one another. Various features andadvantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A track and carriage system, the systemcomprising: a mounting plate; a first track removably secured to themounting plate; a first carriage movable along the first track; a secondtrack removably secured to the mounting plate; and a second carriagemovable along the second track; wherein the first and second tracks arepositioned adjacent and substantially parallel to one another andwherein the carriage of the first track moves independently of and inparallel with the carriage of the second track.
 2. The track andcarriage system of claim 1 further comprising: a first umbilical holderdisposed on a top surface of the first carriage and movable within thefirst track to guide a first cable; and a second umbilical holderdisposed on a top surface of the second carriage and movable within thesecond track to guide a second cable.
 3. The track and carriage systemof claim 2 wherein each of the first and second tracks supports a powersupply and/or network connection.
 4. The track and carriage system ofclaim 2, wherein each of the first and second tracks includes anelongated bearing wall and a first side wall having a length oriented inparallel with a second side wall having a length, the first and secondside walls defining a space therebetween.
 5. The track and carriagesystem of claim 4, wherein each of the first and second side wallsinclude a first rib and a second rib, each of the first and second ribsextending substantially the entire lengths of the first and secondwalls.
 6. The track and carriage system of claim 5, wherein the carriageis disposed between the first and second ribs.
 7. The track and carriagesystem of claim 6, wherein the carriage includes a plurality ofhorizontal wheels and a plurality of vertical wheels.
 8. The track andcarriage system of claim 7, wherein the plurality of horizontal wheelsare located within recesses in the top surface, the horizontal wheelsrotatable about an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the bodyof the carriage and configured to extend beyond side surfaces of thecarriage.
 9. The track and carriage system of claim 7, wherein theplurality of vertical wheels are located within recesses in first andsecond side surfaces of the carriage, the vertical wheels rotatableabout an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the body of thecarriage and staggered such that at least one wheel extends above thetop surface and at least one wheel extends below the bottom surface. 10.The track and carriage system of claim 1 further comprising a mountingpost received and secured within an aperture in each of the first andsecond carriages, each of the mounting posts configured to secure adevice.
 11. A track and carriage system of claim 1 further comprising: athird track removably secured to the mounting plate; a third carriagemovable along the third track; wherein the third track is positionedadjacent and substantially parallel to the first and second tracks andwherein the carriage of the third track moves independently of and inparallel with the carriages of the first and second tracks.
 12. Thetrack and carriage system of claim 11 further comprising a thirdumbilical holder disposed on a top surface of the third carriage andmovable within the third track to guide a third cable.
 13. A track andcarriage system for securing a plurality of translatable devices, thesystem comprising: a mounting plate; a first track including: anelongate, bearing wall, a first side wall having a length, and a secondside wall having a length, the first and second side walls orientedgenerally parallel to each other and defining a space therebetween; anda carriage having a body configured to fit within and slidable along thelengths of the first and second side walls, the body including a topsurface and a bottom surface; a second track including: an elongate,bearing wall, a first side wall having a length, and a second side wallhaving a length, the first and second side walls oriented generallyparallel to each other and defining a space therebetween; and a carriagehaving a body configured to fit within and slidable along the lengths ofthe first and second side walls, the body including a top surface and abottom surface; wherein the carriage of the first track is configured toslide independently of and in parallel with the carriage of the secondtrack; and wherein the first track and the second track are removablyand independently secured to the mounting plate.
 14. The track andcarriage system of claim 13 further comprising: a first umbilical holderdisposed on the top surface of the first carriage and movable within thefirst track to guide a first cable; and a second umbilical holderdisposed on the top surface of the second carriage and movable withinthe second track guide a second cable.
 15. A track and carriage systemof claim 14 further comprising a third track including: an elongate,bearing wall, a first side wall having a length, and a second side wallhaving a length, the first and second side walls oriented generallyparallel to each other and defining a space therebetween; and a thirdcarriage having a body configured to fit within and slidable along thelengths of the first and second side walls, the body including a topsurface and a bottom surface; wherein the carriage of the third track isconfigured to slide independently of and in parallel with the carriagesof the first and second tracks; and wherein the third track is removablyand independently secured to the mounting plate.
 16. The track andcarriage system of claim 15 further comprising a third umbilical holderdisposed on the top surface of the third carriage and movable within thethird track to guide a third cable.
 17. A track and carriage system, thesystem comprising: a track having an elongate, bearing wall, a firstside wall having a length, and a second side wall having a length, thefirst and second side walls oriented generally parallel to each otherand defining a space therebetween; a carriage having a body configuredto fit within and slidable along the lengths of the first and secondside walls, the body including a top surface and a bottom surface; andan umbilical holder disposed between the top surface of the carriage andthe bearing wall and configured to fit within the first and second sidewalls, the umbilical holder configured to guide a cable.
 18. The trackand carriage system of claim 17, wherein each of the first and secondside walls include a first rib and a second rib, each of the first andsecond ribs extending substantially the entire lengths of the first andsecond walls.
 19. The track and carriage system of claim 18, wherein thecarriage is disposed between the first and second ribs.
 20. The trackand carriage system of claim 17, wherein the carriage includes aplurality of horizontal wheels and a plurality of vertical wheels. 21.The track and carriage system of claim 20, wherein the plurality ofhorizontal wheels are located within recesses in the top surface, thehorizontal wheels rotatable about an axis perpendicular to alongitudinal axis of the body of the carriage and configured to extendbeyond side surfaces of the carriage.
 22. The track and carriage systemof claim 20, wherein the plurality of vertical wheels are located withinrecesses in first and second side surfaces of the carriage, the verticalwheels rotatable about an axis perpendicular to a longitudinal axis ofthe body of the carriage and staggered such that at least one wheelextends above the top surface and at least one wheel extends below thebottom surface.
 23. The track and carriage system of claim 17 furthercomprising a mounting post received and secured within an aperture inthe carriage, the mounting post configured to secure a device.
 24. Thetrack and carriage system of claim 17 further comprising: a second trackhaving an elongate, bearing wall, a first side wall having a length, anda second side wall having a length, the first and second side wallsoriented generally parallel to each other and defining a spacetherebetween; a second carriage having a body configured to fit withinand slidable along the lengths of the first and second side walls, thebody including a top surface and a bottom surface; and a secondumbilical holder disposed between the top surface of the carriage andthe bearing wall and configured to fit within the first and second sidewalls, the second umbilical holder configured to guide a second cable;wherein the second track is arranged adjacent and substantially parallelto the track.